By Saddique Shaban, Port Gentil, Gabon
The Ghanaian Under 17 team management has refuted claims that the team has been hit by a malaria attack in their Port Gentil camp at the ongoing African Cup of Nations.
Head coach Paa Kwesi Fabin says none of his players or technical officials have malaria.
“These reports are exceptionally unsettling as they are false. No one in this camp has been taken ill. The boys are particularly in good spirits and have been training since our last match. We have no crisis at all.”
Reports in sections of Ghanaian press had claimed that five players have been struck my malaria ahead of their semi final clash with Niger.
Meanwhile, the coach has predicted a tough match against their West African rival on Wednesday.
“We played them twice in Accra in friendly matches before this tournament. So we have a fair idea about them and I believe [that] they have a fair idea about us. We are therefore expecting a good match.”
Niger, the 2015 hosts, have defied the odds to not only qualify for the semi finals, but also by clinching a ticket to the 2017 FIFA World Cup in India.
“Our defeat at the group stage of the tournament we hosted was painful. We made a vow to atone for this by working hard and learning from our mistakes. We are now here and ready to lift the African title,” says head coach Tiomoko Ismaila.
The two sides will play in first semi final at the ultra-modern Stade de Port-Gentil. Mali and Guinea will play in the second semi final at the Stade de l’Amitie Sono-Gabonaise in Libreville on Wednesday.
